“What offer?” Teddy Boone asked.
“I want Miss Caraway to consider staying here as the new bookkeeper. And if she’s interested, help me with Fester.” His attention shifted to the food on his plate.
She couldn’t stay. Even setting aside the goal she’d set for herself, it would never work.
First, she was lying about her identity. Once he knew who she really was, any civility would go out the window. Second, there was this thing between her and Archer Boone, which made her vulnerable—she didn’t like being vulnerable. And finally, this was the sort of place, the sort of family, that would be easy to get tangled up in. She had enough scars on her heart; she didn’t want to risk her daughters, too.
“While I appreciate the offer, I know I’m not the right person for the job,” she answered. “Your biscuits are yummy, Ivy. Good job.”
“Fester might disagree,” Archer pressed.
“Fester is a horse,” she said, glancing at him.
“Fine, I disagree,” he continued.
“That’s unfortunate.” She put more cereal on Lily’s tray. “And that was a polite attempt to change the conversation.”
Archer sat back, crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at her. And she pointedly ignored him.
Teddy Boone chuckled.
“Where are you off to next?” Renata asked. “Do temps normally travel for jobs?”
Since she had no idea, she shrugged. She knew Clara was uncomfortable with her little deception, so she’d answer as honestly as she could. “Normally I’m in Houston. But occasionally I’ve been sent out for special reviews or audits.” Which was true.
“You like Houston?” Teddy asked. “I’ve been a few times, for stock shows and auctions, and the occasional rodeo. Big city. Lots of traffic. Nice people, for the most part.”
She’d never thought about it. It was where her family was. Yes, she’d thought about leaving after her mother’s death, but she knew her father would consider that a betrayal. And once you got on his bad side, there was no going back. “It’s home.”
“What about your husband?” Renata asked. “He’s got to be missing his ladies.”
“Dad’s on a trip,” Ivy offered. “’Mergency.”
“An emergency?” Renata repeated. “I hope everything’s okay?”
“Clark travels extensively for work,” Eden said. “This was his week with the girls, but something came up.” She smiled at Lily, her baby girl’s grin filling her heart with love. She was glad something had come up. Life was better, even in a state of chaos, with her daughters close.
“Got to meet goats,” Ivy said. “And make biscuits.”
“And they’re good,” Teddy Boone said. “Real good.”
“Tank you.” Ivy bounced in her seat. “I don’t cook at Daddy’s house. But I cook at Momma’s. She doesn’t mind messes. And she lets me lick the spoon.”
Archer was staring at her, she could feel it. Would she see disappointment or curiosity? Did it matter? She spooned more applesauce and oatmeal into Lily’s mouth. Lily promptly spit half back out. Before grinning.
“Are you done?” she asked Lily.
Lily slapped her hands on the tray, cooing.
“I am sorry, Eden,” Renata said. “Your personal life is none of my business. Lily’s so young I assumed—”
“It’s fine.” Eden smiled at Renata.
Most people didn’t divorce mid-pregnancy. Clark had wanted to wait, said he’d try harder—he’d be faithful this time. But Eden knew better. Clark didn’t have monogamy in his DNA. And Eden couldn’t stomach continuing to turn a blind eye to his constant indiscretions. They’d gone to counseling, taken a romantic vacation—Lily was the result—but they’d been back a month before Clark went back to his old ways. He couldn’t keep it in his pants. She’d petitioned for a divorce when she was fifteen weeks pregnant, against the advice of her father.
Clark didn’t fight it. But her father made the whole ordeal a nightmare. If he could choose, Eden had no doubt her father would pick Clark over Eden. In a way he had—giving Clark a promotion at the firm while Eden was moved off the main floor into the Audit and Review office.
Lily rubbed her eyes, smearing applesauce and oatmeal into the golden curls atop her little head. “I think it’s bath and bedtime for Lily. If you’ll excuse me.”